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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Youth Organizer from Brotherhood Sister Sol
6:51:36
·
76 sec
Aa high school student and youth organizer from Brotherhood Sister Sol, testifies about the need for more funding for restorative justice and mental health support in schools instead of school policing. She shares personal experiences of how current policies have negatively impacted her and her peers.
- Describes instances of unnecessary suspensions, false accusations, and feeling unheard in threatening situations
- Highlights concerns about the school-to-prison pipeline and stereotyping of students
- Urges the council to prioritize funding for restorative justice and mental health services over school policing
High School Student
6:51:36
Hi.
6:51:38
My name is Rahima Kalani and I go to United Charter EMS two in The Bronx and I am a member in the liberation program at Brotherhood Sister Soul and a youth organizer.
6:51:47
If restorative justice and mental health support was fundraisers was funded instead of school policing, my friends and I will be able to go to school without having to worry about being policed.
6:51:57
I would have been suspended less for things that could have been solved that could have been solved with a conversation.
6:52:02
I wouldn't have to worry about being pulled away from entry because I got flagged from meta detectors when really when when when in reality I don't have anything on me, and I wouldn't have to worry about any of my cousins getting stopped by the police or deans in schools because of being stereotyped of how they looked and accused of withholding certain objects.
6:52:21
I wouldn't have to worry about not being heard in situations where I felt threatened in school or outside of school, which caused me to be yelled at and locked in a room for four hours when they think that that's being called discipline, when in reality it just brings us back to the prison to school pipeline.
6:52:37
I could even be in my program right now, but I'm here trying to make a difference and not just me and my friends, but for all youth in New York, so I'm urging you all to fund restorative justice and mental health services instead of instead of school policing because we matter and deserve better.
6:52:52
Thank you.